An army vehicle bearing the Russian flag, found abandoned at Galway docks, was covered by port staff on Monday.
The eight-wheeled OT-64 was left close to an apartment building near the entrance to the Galway docks.
The vehicle was bearing a Russian flag on the top of a mast and was reported by a number of Ukrainian refugees, who were said to be extremely upset by it.
READ MORE: Arthur Gourounlian and Brian Dowling consider legal action over 'disgusting' online abuse
Speaking to RTE, Labour Party Councillor Níall McNelis said he was alerted to the tank-like vehicle by a number of Ukrainian refugees who were distressed by its presence.
Mr McNelis described it as "grotesque and offensive" to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
On foot of complaints, harbour staff erected fencing around the vehicle and partially covered it from sight with a number of plastic sheets.
Former Defence Forces sergeant Larry Carthy also told the national broadcaster that the vehicle in question was "one of a number that had been developed by the Polish and Czech administrations in the late 1950s."
They went into service in the early 1960s and were equipped for a number of different uses.
As well as operating on land, they had amphibious capability and were fitted with rear propellers.
Mr Carthy explained that the 'KFOR' branding on the vehicle suggested it had been previously used in the EU mission in Kosovo.
It is not known yet who owns the army vehicle or why it was abandoned in the dockland area of Galway.
READ NEXT:
US lawyer suing Daniel Kinahan says mob boss's days are numbered
Video shows Dublin GAA legend Jason Sherlock lifted into New York St Patrick's Day parade by gardaí
Irish people's favourite word to refer to their mothers - and it's not mam or ma
'Life is fleeting' - Former RTE star to take time off after road crash scare
Father Ted creator loses TV career and marriage and on medication over tweets
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
